Danger of U.S.-Singapore defense accord

Danger of U.S.-Singapore defense accord

Begi Hersutanto, Jakarta

On Aug. 17, 2004, Singapore and the United States started
negotiations to establish a defense accord. Singapore Defense
Minister Tony Tan confirmed this plan. He mentioned that the two
countries were at the stage of negotiating the framework for
strategic defense cooperation.

At the same time, Tan also made a statement to support the
presence of the U.S. military wherever it operated in the world,
including Singapore. Singapore believes that the presence of the
U.S. military in Southeast Asia will enhance stability in the
region.

Such a statement made by a high official of a state
government, a member of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN), seems to have been lost on most people, perhaps
because of other current developments in the region. Singapore is
apparently eager to tie itself to an external power while the
countries in the region are working together to establish peace,
stability and greater cooperation through stronger relationships.

The countries in the Southeast Asian region are now in the
middle of a process of securing and stabilizing the region
through deep cooperation and deep trust among each other as
agreed in the Bali Concord II. One the purposes of the Bali
Concord II was the establishment of the ASEAN Security Community
whereby each member state agreed that they should all exclude the
use of force and threats whenever any conflict among them occurs.

This arrangement itself does not eliminate the possibility of
conflict among the member states, but when a serious dispute
arises, the use of force, or threat of it, is not to be
considered. This arrangement is an attempt to establish
constructive ways for promoting peaceful settlements.

The policy of Singapore to formally tie itself with the U.S.
in terms of defense has become a stumbling block for the ASEAN
Security Community. Such an arrangement may create friction among
ASEAN member states, because ASEAN member states agreed to tackle
regional problems and challenges in the "ASEAN way".

In terms of security issues, Singapore has often indicated
that it is rather reluctant to mingle and to work together with
the neighboring countries in the region. In the case of securing
the Strait of Malacca before the Coordinated Patrol arrangement
was achieved, Singapore also indicated an intention to invite the
United States to secure the vital waterway despite the reluctance
of the two of the other littoral countries along the strait.

Perhaps, Singapore views cooperation with ASEAN member states
as less than adequate to secure its national interests,
especially in security matters.

However, to disregard the security cooperation agreement with
countries in its own region and preferring to sign a defense
accord with an external power does not answer the core problem
either.

The potential threats faced in this region are categorized as
non-traditional security issues such as piracy, trans-national
crime and perhaps terrorism.

If Singapore is referring to those issues, having a strategic
defense accord with the U.S. is not a good option. As part of the
regional community, such an arrangement with the U.S. will not
only jeopardize the ASEAN Security Community but also invite
greater danger to the region.

Terrorists do not only target the U.S., but also its close
allies.

In this regard, keeping a perfect distance with the dominant
power is one way to minimize the possibility of being the target
of terrorism. In the case of Singapore, having such an exclusive
relationship with the U.S. in terms of defense cooperation is
inviting danger.

Singapore, as a sovereign country, has the right to cooperate
with any country in the world including the United States. This
right also includes the right to invite foreign forces into its
national territory. However, in terms of tackling non-traditional
security threats, Singapore needs to work more closely with other
countries in its own region.

A careful and wise approach has to be taken by Singapore and
the other ASEAN member states on this matter. The issue of the
U.S.-Singapore defense accord has the potential to trigger
unnecessary tension among ASEAN member states.

It is best for Singapore to be open to countries in the region
and describe the type and the content of the planned defense
cooperation with the U.S.

The other ASEAN member states should also be careful and wise
in dealing with this matter while clarifying Singapore's own
intentions.

The writer is a researcher at the Centre for Strategic and
International Studies (CSIS).